Car Park Rage

Like clockwork my trip to the shops has caused the red mist of rage to descend. Why? The misuse of parent and child car parking spaces.

These spaces aren't just a nice gesture to those with children, they are a necessity which is why when they are full there is often no choice but to wait. The alternative being that I could try and park in a normal space, struggle to get my 24lb wriggle monster (when awake) or dead weight (when asleep) out of a 10 inch space. Then I'd have to hope that on my return to the car no one has parked too close to me, making getting my child into his car seat an impossible task.

This week a certain mother/woman/person hating journalist (I won't say who as I refuse to give her the publicity) wrote an article proudly declaring that she parks in both disabled and parent and child spaces. 

Her reasons? Well she is deaf so she argues that is a disability - fair poin but it's not one that requires you extra space to get out of your car though is it? 

And why does she park in parent and child? Well bizarrely she rants that parents take their children to museums and galleries - the horror! - she should invade their space. She also goes on to make more disturbing arguments but I'll leave it at that.

Shame on the paper in question for publishing this woman's crazy rant but the thing about this so called journalist is I think she is just being inflammatory to get hits and comments, I'm not so sure she does what she says - but if she does then I guess it's to be expected from a person who is always the victim. Unfortunately whether she does do it or not, I'm worried that her article will make others think it's ok.

Ever week I see people using the spaces with no children in tow. Not one for conflict, I just stare while shaking my head but every week I come closer to making a stand. The thing is, they are no closer to the supermarket, I know some can be, they just have extra space. So why do people continue to park there? What is the appeal?

A few days ago I found myself discussing the cut off point for using these spaces because let's face it, they aren't designed for parents and their 18 year old children are they? The general consensus, which I agree with, is that if your child can get in and out of the car and their car seat without your help then you don't need the extra room. 

Today I saw two people parking in the spaces with children that weren't in car seats. This annoys me because they will at one point, have struggled with car seats and babies and probably cursed those who abuse the spaces. Yet now they do the same - have they forgotten how hard it was?

Thankfully some places are starting to fine those who wrongfully park in parent and child, when asked how they know I was told that they look for child paraphanalia in the car. Will a £60 charge reduce the offenders? I certainly hope so and I also hope that this is rolled out to more car parks. At the moment I only know of two places that do this.

What do you think? Am I being too harsh - should any parent and child be able to use the spaces? Are they just a gesture, a bonus when empty? 

Our Breastfeeding Journey - An Update

A few months ago I wrote about feeling that the time had come to wean Little H and wrap up our breastfeeding journey, I even had a date in mind (26th February or failing that 22nd March).

Alas, you know what they say about best laid plans and all, I am still breastfeeding and do you know what I have no regrets and I am, for the most part, enjoying it as much as ever.

Our feeding "routine" generally consists of a feed first thing, one mid morning, one late afternoon, one before bed and, if I'm lucky, one during the night. This is a very general view though as some days I can't detach Little H from me and other times he'll go for hours on end without wanting any milk. Also, unlike the early days a "feed" can be a 2 minute suckle used as a crutch to get Little H to sleep or it can be a 15 minute refuel before the next adventure.

There have been worries on my part that H is feeding too much, often foregoing solids for milk, however restricting milk hasn't worked and I'm slowly coming to the conclusion that he just isn't a big eater - he will try and (usually) enjoy many things but in terms of quantity he can vary from a few bites to demolishing a plateful while my back is turned.

I've also had comments that he's feeding too much from various people, not something an already worry prone mum needs to hear, no matter how concerned you may or may not be FYI! A trip to the health visitor eased my angst though, she declared Little H a "snacker" and told me in no uncertain terms that you cannot breastfeed too much, no matter the age of the child. I should add that I do give Little H a dose of vitamins every day just to silence the residual worries.

My gorgeous Milk Monster!

When I was proactively trying to wean H we did come across a pretty big stumbling block, a possible allergy to cow's milk. It's hasn't been proven and strangely he can eat cheese/yoghurt/formula but a drink of milk will sometimes, not always, cause an angry red rash to spread wherever the milk has touched. This rash, it should be said, is a bugger because it appears with no rhyme or reason, broccoli, cauliflower, fish and porridge to name a few have all brought it on but not every time Little H has eaten them. A trip to the doctors left me with more questions than answers and a prescription for a big bottle of Piriton for when it happens.

I was told by the HV to keep a record of Little H's reactions to cow's milk for at least a month and they would investigate if necessary. Timing foiled my plans though as he was poorly on and off for a month and I refused to add to this by giving him something that may or may not have made him feel worse. Instead I tried him on follow on milk and (touch wood) he has taken this with no ill effects.

As I mentioned, Little H can have formula and seemingly enjoys it when I'm not there, if I am there though he will not be fooled - he is a stubborn one! This is a major relief for me as I don't have to express for days on end now before leaving him with anyone and in time I can start to replace feeds knowing that he does like it, just maybe not as much as booby juice!

In the meantime though I ŵill continue breastfeeding, and try not too moan too much about feeling like a dairy cow!